Day 1: Cusco - Challacancha - Soraypampa - Humantay Lake
After being picked up from your hotel in Cusco, drive for 3 hours to the trailhead at Challacancha (3644 m /11955 ft). After enjoying a delicious breakfast prepared by your trekking chef, hike for 4 hours to Soraypampa following the ancient aqueduct. In the afternoon, visit the spectacular turquoise water Humantay Lake (4200 m– 13779 ft). The campsite is located at Soraypampa with comfortable camping equipment and fresh meals prepared by your expert chefs.
Total distance: 12km / 7.45 miles
Approximate time: 7 hours
Maximum altitude: 4200 m– 13779 ft
Campsite altitude: 3860 m– 12664 ft
Considered: Moderate
Meals: B, L, D
Day 2: Soraypampa - Salkantaypampa - Pampa Japonesa
After an early breakfast, start with a gentle uphill towards the Salkantay mountain (the 2nd highest peak of the Cusco region and the 7th of Peru). Enjoy the amazing view of the Vilcabamba Mountain range that separates the Andes from the Cloud Forest. The total hike takes about 6 hours to Pampa Japonesa (4280 m /14041 ft). Camp next to the great Salkantay and beautiful glacier lakes.
Total distance: 13 km / 8 miles
Approximate time: 7 hours
Campsite altitude: 4280 m /14041 ft
Considered: Moderate to Challenging
Meals: B, L, D
Day 3: Pampa Japonesa - Sisaypampa - Canal Inca
Wake in your tent with a cup of coffee served by your trekking team and get ready to conquer the highest point of this expedition, Incachiriasca pass (5100 m / 16732 ft). Once you reach the top, enjoy the amazing views while you enjoy a hot cup of coca tea to help you with the altitude. From the pass, you will start descending through the Pampacahuana Valley, following the meandering streams to the third campsite next to a small village.
Total distance: 14 km / 8.7 miles
Approximate time: 8 hours
Campsite altitude: 3670 m /12040 ft
Considered: Challenging
Meals: B, L, D
Day 4: Canal Inca - Wayllabamba - Ayapata.
Enjoy an energetic breakfast and start a with a 3-hour downhill trek to the Incan ruins of Paucar Cancha (3143 m / 10410 ft), a beautiful archeological complex but rarely visited, next continue for 3o minutes to Wayllabamba to visit another Inca Site of the same and check into the second checkpoint of the Classic Inca Trail and join the other hiker to the 4th Campsite at Ayapata.
Total distance: 15 km / 89.3 miles
Approximate time: 7 hours
Campsite altitude: 3300m / 10826ft
Considered: Moderate
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5: Ayapata - Dead Woman’s Pass - Chaquicocha
Wake up in the middle of the Inca Trail hikers, enjoy breakfast with the whole Inca Trail Team, and begin the 4-hour ascent to the highest mountain of the Classic Inca trail Warmiwañuska or Dead Woman's Pass (4200 m / 13779 ft)). Upon arrival to the top, enjoy the amazing vistas of the Vilcanota Mountain range, then decent for 2 more hours to Pacaymayo Valley (3600m / 11811 ft), where we lunch is served. Well-fed and re-energized, start the 2nd mountain climb, Runccuracay Pass (4000 m / 13123). Finally, it will another 2 hours downhill to the 5th campsite at Chaquicocha (3550 m / 11646 ft). Throughout the day you will visit several Inca sites: Runccuracay, Sayacmarca, Conchamarca.
Total distance: 16 km / 9.9 miles
Approximate time: 9 hours
Campsite altitude: 3550 m / 11646 ft
Considered: Challenging
Meals: B, L, D
Day 6: Chaquicocha - Phuyu - Intipata - Wiñaywayna
After Salkantay Pass and Dead Woman's Pass, the fifth day is well deserved. Today you will only hike half-day and mostly downhill. After breakfast, start the most beautiful day of the Salkantay Inca Trail expedition. Explore Phuyupatamarca ( 3660 m / 12007 ft), Intipata ( 2800 m / 9186 ft), and Wiñaywayna (2640 m / 8661 ft). After lunch, enjoy a free afternoon to take shower or wander around the campsite chasing llamas.
Total distance: 10 km / 6.2 miles
Approximate time: 5 hours
Campsite altitude: 2670 m / 8759 ft
Considered: Moderate
Meals: B, L, D
Day 7: Discover Machu Picchu - return to Cusco
After the long expedition across the Andes, you will arrive to one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. First, hike for 1 hour to the Sungate (Intipunku) to have the first view of the incredible Inca Citadel. Then, continue downhill for 1 more hour to Machu Picchu. You will have a guided tour exploring the most beautiful places, then enjoy free time or you can hike to Huayna Picchu Mountain. After You finish with Machu Picchu, take the bus down to Aguas Calientes to take the Vistadome train back to Cusco. The expected arrival time is around 7:30 pm.
Total distance: 6 km / 3.7 miles
Hiking time: 2 hours
Considered: Moderate
Meals: Breakfast
